D.C. Delegate Norton Scammed at Home

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 88, was reportedly scammed at her D.C. home when people posing as a cleaning/HVAC crew charged about $4,362 to her credit card for work not performed. The suspects entered after Norton let them in around 3:30 p.m.; her house manager and longtime aide Jacqueline Pelt — who is listed as Norton’s campaign treasurer in public filings — reviewed Ring footage, contacted the bank to cancel the charges and reported the incident to police. D.C. police are treating the case as felony fraud, say no arrests have been made and that Norton’s credit card and driver’s license information “could potentially be compromised”; U.S. Capitol Police also responded and a patrol vehicle remained posted after suspects reportedly said they would return. An internal D.C. police report described Norton as being in the “early stages of dementia” and referred to a caretaker with power of attorney, characterizations Norton’s office disputes as an unqualified medical assumption. The episode has intensified questions about Norton’s age and fitness ahead of her stated 2026 reelection bid and comes amid primary challenges, including from former staffer Robert White.